Erling Haaland delivers classy response to Gabriel headbutt controversy in Manchester City win over Arsenal

I will not go down that easily, says Haaland

It can well be argued that had Haaland gone down as a result of Gabriel’s headbutt, referee Anthony Taylor would have had no choice but to send the Arsenal centre-half off.

“I think if I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, I think maybe it would be a red card,” Haaland said in a candid post-match interview with Sky Sports.

“I’m not sure but it is what it is. I will not fall on the floor as easy like this. Yellow card, for me I don’t know why. He (Gabriel) comes up to my face. It is what it is.”

To explain Taylor’s decision to only show Gabriel a yellow card, the Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR, with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.”

Haaland makes the difference in Man City win vs Arsenal

Haaland has by no means been firing on all cylinders so far in 2026 and has actually endured a drop-off from his incredible scoring rate in the first half of the Premier League campaign.

“Stay humble” – Erling Haaland’s title race message to Manchester City squad after Arsenal win

However, the 25-year-old rose to the occasion and scored arguably Manchester City’s most crucial goal and one that could have major implications for Arsenal’s title aspirations.

The Norwegian gave a cheeky side-eye to cameras after the full-time whistle on Sunday and even enjoyed a sing-song as he revelled in a monumental Manchester City win that gives the Blues a real chance of hijacking Arsenal’s lead at the top of the tree.

“Stay humble” was the message from Manchester City’s number nine to his teammates ahead of their last six games of the league campaign and Guardiola will be ensuring his players don’t get ahead of themselves as they look to record a trophy-laden end to what has been a topsy-turvy season at times.